The 86-year-old Maryland Republican also said disregarding the Constitution could lead down a "slippery slope" and cited the Holocaust as an example of what could happen when a country heads down a wrong path.

Bartlett represents conservative western Maryland, but his district has been redrawn to take in much more Democratic territory. He faces a tough reelection battle against Democratic nominee John Delaney.

Bartlett's comments came Wednesday night at Allegany College in Cumberland. "I'm for student loans. I want kids to have an education," Bartlett responded to an audience question. But he explained that he had read through the Constitution carefully and could find no evidence "that the federal government should be involved in education."

Should the federal government be in the student loan business?

There is nothing wrong with giving assistance to students who have a true interest in obtaining an education. However, I am against funding a student who keeps changing his/her major or changing schools....in other words I don't want to fund the life of a professional student. Then, I expect the LOAN to be repaid.

The loans are always repaid with interest. In fact, the govt never loses out on this deal. Even subsidized loans just mean interest isn't being paid in school, but the loan still has to be paid back and interest starts accruing once out of school.

@AceLuby Do a little research...student loans are not always paid back...and the taxpayer then assumes responsibility. To get the money back the government goes after income tax overpayments, federal paychecks, etc. A person in default cannot get a government job or do certain other things.The exception is that the loan is forgiven at death...at least I think it is.

The real challenge is explaining to a mason, carpenter, steelworker, etc... why he has to pay more in taxes to help other people go to college. Sure the loan is repaid, but the interest is subsidized by his or her hard work. Why does the government need to provide loans when we have banks?

The Constitution doesn't talk about a lot of things. Our children's education is the key to this country's future! Heck I think that higher education and or job training skills should be mandatory and at little or no cost to the student. There are a lot of people in our country who have brilliant minds who just couldn't afford or were afraid because of cost to go to college. Also college isn't for everybody. We need skilled laborers as well in this country. There are thousand of jobs available right now, but our unemployed workers don't have the job training to fill them. If you ask me this guys thoughts are Holocaustal. I think he needs some Brainagra. I think his brain stem has gone limp!!!

I am a college professor and I agree with you. I think college educations (and by college education, I include vocational, technical, and community college educations - I firmly believe these are just as important as a four year college education) should be available to students at little or no cost. However, they should be responsible for maintaining a certain grade point average to show their academic integrity. If this were done, those "brilliant minds" as you say would be more inclined to do great things for this country.

@Nemesis3X i think liberals are frightened of being on their own,they need to know there is a large safety net,even if not using this net,that it is available.but they have strayed politically away from the family,the church and other legitimate safety nets.

They should make it harder to get a student loan. Alot of these kids that get the loans are too immature they take the school money and spend it on everthing but stuff for school. Let them do a tour of duty in the military and earn a gi bill for college like i did .

If the old Republican had paid attention in rhetoric class he would have known that his "it will all end in tears" argument is silly. The effect of the student loan program is to keep college graduates poor through indebtedness and, therefore, to reduce the value of college education.

Perhaps when a legislator hits 86 he should sit quietly in the back of the room and shut his mouth. Any time someone compares irrelevant things to the Holocaust...they need to have their lips stapled shut.

I think anyone who wants to further their education, should be able to do so. I believe in student loans and grants, I also think that those who are getting loans should be held accountable to maintain a certain grade point avg., if not, then they would lose the opportunity. However, anyone who seriously wants to better themselves should be able to do so, no matter what your income is.

Yeah, close the schools, let American children fall further behind, and when we are intellectually bankrupt, no one will be able to read the ballots to vote jerks like this out of office. Wait a minute, maybe the rich will band together and fund the nations educational needs out of the goodness of their hearts? Hey I think Clint is looking for friends!

@mjc1357 Don't apologize. Feel free to poke, just be careful not to dehumanize. Its for your own good. That acid will give you an ulcer. I would guess that most of us appreciate the art of rhetoric (and some humor), but I'd prefer a little less mischaracterization of our position (and it'll make you think a bit more to find the holes).

I don't think it is the duty of the federal government to become involved in our kids education. 20 years ago, the GOP was looking at eliminating the dept of education, but 10 years ago they favored NCLB. Quote a turnaround. One trait is clear, the more involvement that are federal government with educating our kids, we have less educated kids. And the number one reason the federal government should not get involved in education.....we don't have the money.

Liking loans to the holocaust is stupid. The govt only subsidizes a small % of loans, and only while students are in school. All loans are paid back with interest and it opens up the opportunity for those without money to further their education and get a good paying job.